What have you been doing today?

[K Atie]

After a lovely weekend with DS watching play footy and meals out , long drive . Today was yoga and rest ! Seems I’m in denial that I have a cold - thought it was sinus due to dusty arvo outside, big winds and dust in my eyes etc .

[achookwoman]

DD brought dinner last night so with leftovers and soup I can concentrate on unpacking and washing. I am really looking forward to experimenting with the 7. Don’t think I will attend any of the cooking classes.

[K Atie]

Welcome home Chookie . No dought you are going to recreate some meals you had while away .

[cookie1]

Oh Margaret you poor things.  It’s apparently not much fun. I asked our GP about immunisation and he said it’s very expensive. If we catch it I will growl at him. 😀😀

I’m having dizzy spells, they only last a few seconds but it’s driving me crazy. I can’t put my head down or eyes down. It’s really playing up with my reading and iPad use. I have to hold the book or iPad up in front of me.

[Cuilidh]

Welcome back, Chookie.  I'd love to hear what you thought of the Ghan.

Cookie, do you know what is causing your dizzy spells?  They can be so challenging and frightening if they hit you unexpectedly, you should see if there are any exercises, etc. that will help.  I went through a period like that some time ago and my doctor gave me a very simple series of exercises that were really good and helpful.  If you are interested I will see if I can find them and send them over to you.  Let me know.  However the caveat is that you clear them with your GP first.

[achookwoman]

Thanks to all for the welcome home. Meals away were all pretty simple, lots of buffets , but nothing spectacular. The only thing I’ll attempt to create was Popcorn Cauliflower with chilli caramel sauce. This was tasty and soft and crunchy. Everyone loved it.
For morning teas we were often catered for at country roadhouses. The families would put on a spread of home cooked cakes and bought party pies. If you watched the coach driver , you could tell what was best.
Lunch was often prepared by the driver and guide. These were often the best meals. Salads, smoked salmon , ham, dips,  olives, pickles , fruit salad.
The bus carried baskets of fruit, chips and lollies , where we could help ourselves during long trips.

[K Atie]

Think I may have had a 12 hour bug/ cold . I had so much chicken soup and honey lemon drinks . Slept most of this morning. Feeling a lot better tonight .

[achookwoman]

K Atie, lots of bugs around. Rest is good.
Back to Gym today and a bit of cooking. Very cold this morning . It will be 1 degree when I arrive at Gym.

[cookie1]

Welcome back, Chookie.  I'd love to hear what you thought of the Ghan.

Cookie, do you know what is causing your dizzy spells?  They can be so challenging and frightening if they hit you unexpectedly, you should see if there are any exercises, etc. that will help.  I went through a period like that some time ago and my doctor gave me a very simple series of exercises that were really good and helpful.  If you are interested I will see if I can find them and send them over to you.  Let me know.  However the caveat is that you clear them with your GP first.

Thanks Marina. I’m seeing the GP on Monday.

[achookwoman]

Marina, the Ghan is certainly a once in a lifetime time experience. I’m glad that I did it. It is physically fairly demanding. Getting on and off the train isn’t easy. Very limited luggage is allowed. There is nowhere to store anything other than a small bag in the cabin. I managed to upgrade to a top ( platinum) cabin and this was about double the size of Gold Double. There was a lot of winging about the cabins. I’m glad I wasn’t sharing. I understand that the cabins are being upgraded next year. It was suggested that a bank loan would be necessary!  If you are considering  it, do it sooner rather than later.
In the end , it was the people who make the trip. Travelled for 3 weeks with a lovely couple from Glasgow and Jane Edmenson ( Gardening Australia) was good company on the Ghan.

[Cuilidh]

Good to get your feedback, Chookie, it sounds like a real mix of good and not so good and at time challenging.  Your travelling companions sound interesting - I would have loved time with Jane Edmanson - how did you get on with the Glaswegian accent???  I think it is one of those trips that is quite different to how it is advertised but would still be interesting and, as you say, a once in a lifetime experience.

[achookwoman]

Marina, Ha, had a lot of trouble with the accent to start with but I seemed to get used to it as we went along. It was very broad. She also talked very fast. The husband had grown up in Ireland and started secondary school in Glasgow and his accent wasn’t as extreme.
Considering more about the Ghan, I’m not complaining about the Ghan in general, nor were the more experienced travellers. I know I’m pretty critical when it comes to food and was expecting a higher standard as everyone I spoke to prior to trip raved about the food.
Jane is a lovely person. My GD and DD waited with me in the Ghan reception room ready to board the train. GD is just finishing a degree in Botany at La Trobe Uni and they clicked immediately. Jane trained as a teacher initially.
Back to Tai Chi today. Spent day in garden yesterday and more today.

[K Atie]

Gosh Chookie what an experience to travel with Jane Edmanson and others. Must have been nice to get away and see completely different surroundings. Another sunny day here so nice to have that warm spring weather approaching. Have lots to go today , I better try to get everything done .

[Cuilidh]

When I first went to Glasgow it took me days to understand my cousins ... now I cannot understand how I had so much trouble, but the accent of the Outer Hebrides is so much softer, and that is what I grew up with.

I just received this notice from Books for Cooks - The Japanese Art of Pickling & Fermenting - it's a very specific field, but I thought there may be someone in the area who might be interested in attending.

[cookie1]

I had a KAtie type day today. Had my eyebrows done at 8.45am. Podiatrist at 9.40, a quick rush between the two. DH took the motorhome back to the dealers as it’s still leaking and because they left it out in the rain it now has mould everywhere. He then attended a NFG meeting and I took my dizzies to the Doctor.
He’s pretty sure it’s balance problems in the crystals of my ear. Marina’s exercises are what he has prescribed. I have to have a head x-ray tomorrow to make sure he hasn’t missed anything. I’ll be sad when he retires as he is very thorough.